Assembly comprising an article of footwear and a crampon

ABSTRACT

An assembly comprising an article of footwear, such as a boot, and a crampon, the assembly comprising a binding for retaining the crampon on the boot. The binding comprises an assembly device that comprises a first element affixed to the boot and a second element affixed to the crampon, the first and second elements being structured for assembly with one another in two phases, a first phase in which one of the elements guides the other element along a translational movement, from an initial point to a transition point, and a second phase in which one of the elements guides the other element along a rotational movement in the area of the transition point, the first phase and the second phase being mutually exclusive.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based upon French Patent Application No. 12/01491, filed May 24, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an assembly comprising an article of footwear, such as a boot, and a crampon adapted to be affixed to the article of footwear. Such assembly may be used in disciplines such as mountaineering, walking or climbing on snow or ice, climbing frozen waterfalls, or the like.

The invention also relates respectively to the article of footwear and to the crampon.

2. Background Information

Conventionally, the boot of an assembly comprises a sole assembly and an upper, the sole assembly extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a first side and a second side, and heightwise between a surface for support on the ground or on the crampon, and a surface for connection to the upper. The crampon comprises a body extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a first side and a second side, and heightwise between a surface for support on the ground and a surface for receiving the sole assembly of the boot. The assembly includes a binding for affixing the crampon to the boot. In general, the binding includes one or more members for retaining the boot, such members being located in the area of the receiving surface of the crampon.

For example, it is known to provide a crampon with a stirrup at the front, and a toggle mechanism at the rear. In addition, the boot has a projection at the front, as well as a projection at the rear, both projections being formed in the extension of the sole assembly. The crampon attachment, that is to say, the affixing of the crampon to the boot, is carried out by applying the sole assembly of the boot on the receiving surface of the crampon, so that the front projection is housed in the stirrup, followed by the actuation of the toggle mechanism to retain the rear projection. Because the front and rear projections are retained by the stirrup and the toggle mechanism, respectively, the crampon and the boot are affixed to one another.

Although the crampon attachment using a crampon provided with a stirrup and a toggle mechanism is generally satisfactory, it still has certain drawbacks.

Firstly, a user may be hindered while attaching the crampon, in the sense that it is sometimes difficult to maintain the boot on the crampon until completion of the attachment operation. This means that the boot may slide off the crampon as the toggle does not retain the rear of the boot on the crampon. This may be the case, for example, if the crampon is positioned while the user is on a ridge, at the edge of a crevasse, on an inclined terrain, or the like.

In addition to the aforementioned potential hindrance, the question of the difficulty in attaching the crampon should be taken into account, because the toggle mechanism is not accessible when the crampon is being positioned on the boot. The crampon attachment is even more difficult in powder snow or a deep snow environment, as the snow tends to cover the crampon, that is to say, the stirrup and the toggle mechanism.

Also notable is the problem of a lack of precision in the transmission of support and sensory information between the boot and the crampon. This lack of precision, although relative, is sometimes inconvenient for the user, because it is an additional source of fatigue or small losses of balance.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, the invention generally improves an assembly that comprises a boot and a crampon. The invention also improves the boot as such and the crampon as such. More specifically, the invention seeks to reduce, or even eliminate, certain inconveniences related to the crampon attachment operation. In particular, this aims to ensure that the boot remains supported on the crampon during attachment.

Further, the invention makes it easier to attach the crampon, including in an environment in which snow or ice formations tend to cover the crampon.

Still further, the invention improves accuracy in the transmission of support and sensory information between the boot and the crampon.

To this end, the invention provides an assembly comprising a boot and a crampon, the boot comprising a sole assembly extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a first side and a second side, and heightwise between a supporting surface and a connecting surface, the crampon comprising a body extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a first side and a second side, and heightwise between a supporting surface and a receiving surface, the assembly comprising a binding for retaining the crampon on the boot.

The binding of the assembly according to the invention comprises an assembly device, the assembly device comprising a first element affixed to the boot and a second element affixed to the crampon, the first and second elements being structured for assembly with one another in two phases, a first phase in which one of the elements guides the other element along a translational movement from an initial point to a transition point, and a second phase in which one of the elements guides the other element along a rotational movement in the area of the transition point, the first phase and the second phase being mutually exclusive.

Due to their respective structures, which is described in detail below, the elements of the assembly device require two phases for the assembly of the boot with the crampon. Because the phases are mutually exclusive makes it impossible, in practice, to carry them out simultaneously. Thus, the assembly occurs chronologically, for example via a translation followed by a rotation. Thus, the crampon is partially held on the boot, by the assembly device, prior to being completely immobilized thereon upon completion of the crampon attachment operation. In other words, the assembly device reduces the possibilities of movement of the boot in relation to the crampon, in the sense that it reduces the number of degrees of freedom. It is shown below that the assembly device can eliminate three degrees of translational freedom and two degrees of rotational freedom.

The resulting advantages include the removal of certain hindrances related to the crampon attachment operation. The user is more comfortable, because the assembly device keeps the boot on the crampon during attachment.

Moreover, the crampon attachment is easier, because the elements of the assembly device guide the boot toward its supporting position on the crampon, even in the presence of snow or ice.

Further, after the crampon has been attached, that is to say, during use of the assembly, the transmission of sensory information and support forces between the boot and the crampon is more accurate, compared to an assembly according to the prior art. Indeed, the assembly device according to the invention opposes any translational movement of one element in relation to the other.

In general, the invention improves an assembly comprising a boot and a crampon. The invention also improves the boot as such, and the crampon as such.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings illustrating, by way of non-limiting embodiments, how the invention can be embodied, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an assembly comprising a boot and a crampon, according to a first embodiment of the invention, with the boot shown separated from the crampon;

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1, with the crampon shown attached to the boot;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the assembly of FIG. 1, with the boot having been brought close to the crampon for assembly therewith, the sole assembly being perpendicular to the receiving surface of the crampon, and transversely spaced apart;

FIG. 4 is a cross section along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3, again with the sole assembly being perpendicular to the receiving surface of the crampon and transversely spaced apart ;

FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4, with the sole assembly being partially aligned with the receiving surface of the crampon;

FIG. 6 is also similar to FIG. 4, with the sole assembly being completely aligned with the receiving surface of the crampon;

FIG. 7 is a partial front view of the assembly according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The first embodiment described below relates to assemblies, comprising a boot and a crampon, for mountaineering, walking on snow or ice, as well as climbing a frozen waterfall. However, the invention is applicable to other disciplines in which the use of such assemblies is required.

The first embodiment is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 -7.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an assembly 1 comprises a boot 2 and a crampon 3. Conventionally, the boot 2 comprises a sole assembly 4 and an upper 5. The sole assembly 4 extends lengthwise from a rear end 6 to a front end 7, widthwise between a first edge 8 and a second edge 9, and height-wise between a supporting surface 10 and a connection surface 11. The supporting surface 10 is provided to rest on the ground or on the crampon 3, as will be seen more clearly later. The connecting surface 11 connects the sole assembly 4 to the upper 5.

The crampon 3, provided to receive the boot 2, as described below, conventionally comprises a body 15 extending lengthwise from a rear end 16 to a front end 17, widthwise between a first side 18 and second side 19, and heightwise between a supporting surface 20 and a receiving surface 21. The supporting surface 20 is adapted to be opposite the ground, whereas the receiving surface 21 is adapted to receive the sole assembly of the boot 2.

In a non-limiting manner, the length of the cramp 3 is adjustable, so as to be adaptable to boots of various sizes, that is to say, having various lengths. To this end, the body 15 comprises a rear plate 22 and a front plate 23, as well as a bridge 24, or center linking bar, connecting the rear 22 and front 23 plates to one another. A first linkage 25, including a fastener, e.g., connects the rear plate 22 and the bridge 24 to one another, and a second linkage 26, including a fastener, e.g., connects the front plate 23 and the bridge 24 to one another. The bridge 24 has a series of holes and each linkage is formed, for example, by the combination of a screw and a nut, to pass through a hole of the bridge and through a hole of a plate.

Other structures can be provided to make the linkages 25, 26. Also, the crampon, including details of its adjustment structures, can take the form of those that are described in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/898,893 and 13/898,909, both filed May 21, 2013, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporation by reference thereto in their entireties.

The crampon comprises points 27 projecting from the area of the supporting surface 20. More specifically, the rear plate 22 carries points 27, for example four, oriented substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface. Similarly, the front plate 23 carries points 27, for example eight, six of which are oriented substantially perpendicular to the supporting surface 20, and two of which are oriented obliquely and forward, in the extension of the front plate 23. While all of the points 27 enable a grip into the snow or ice, on horizontal or inclined ground, the two points oriented forward enable a grip into a vertical or steeply inclined wall. Ultimately, the crampon 3 is very versatile in terms of its grip.

Generally speaking, the assembly 1 includes a binding provided to retain the crampon 3 on the boot 2. Although this binding is not identified by reference numeral in the drawing, its constituent elements are referenced. These elements are partially located on the boot and partially located on the crampon.

Thus, according to the invention, the binding comprises an assembly device 30, and the assembly device 30 comprises a first element 31 affixed to the boot 2 and a second element 32 affixed to the crampon 3, the first 31 and second 32 elements being structured and arranged for assembly with one another in two phases, a first phase in which one of the elements 31, 32 guides the other element along a translational movement from an initial point to a transition point, and a second phase in which one of the elements 31, 32 guides the other element along a rotational movement in the area of the transition point, the first phase and the second phase being mutually exclusive.

This means that the phases take place alternately, or sequentially, or that it is not possible to perform the translation and the rotation simultaneously. The assembly thus occurs chronologically, for example via a translation followed by a rotation, as described below. Thus, the crampon is partially retained on the boot by means of the assembly device prior to being completely immobilized or fixed thereon, by a complementary member of the binding, upon completion of the crampon attachment operation. It is apparent that the assembly device 30 reduces the number of degrees of freedom for relative movement of the boot and of the crampon. This makes it easier to attach the crampon, as will be better understood later, because the user does not have to exert any effort to keep the boot on the crampon during attachment.

The crampon attachment is also easier because the elements of the assembly device guide the boot toward its supporting position on the crampon, even in the presence of snow or ice.

Further, after the crampon has been attached, that is to say, during use of the assembly, the transmission of sensory information and support forces between the boot and the crampon is more accurate, compared to an assembly according to the prior art. Indeed, the assembly device according to the invention opposes any translational movement of one element in relation to the other.

According to the first embodiment of the invention and without limitation, as will be seen with reference to FIGS. 1-7, the first element 31 of the assembly device 30 is a guide having a groove, or grooved-guide, and the second element 32 is a slider. This implies that the first phase of the assembly of the boot and crampon is a translation, and that the second phase is a rotation. This arrangement could alternatively be reversed, but starting with a translation facilitates the manipulations. Indeed, as will be seen more clearly later, the crampon and the boot can be brought closer together directly by aligning the slider 32 with the guide 31.

Although not limiting, but as can be seen for example in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the illustrated embodiment, the guide 31 has an open groove 33, whose opening 34 is narrow and bottom 35 is widened, and the slider 32 is an arch, or U-shaped member or upstanding bracket, having two legs 36, 37 connected by a body 38, the legs being structured and arranged to cooperate with the opening 34 of the groove 33, the body 38 being adapted to be positioned at the bottom 35 of the groove 33. The slider 32 can slide in the guide 31, as described below, because the guide is rectilinear. Likewise, the opening 34 and the bottom 35 are rectilinear. The legs 36, 37 extend through the opening 34, in a direction perpendicular to the groove 33, and they can slide parallel to the groove, that is to say, also parallel to the opening 34 and the bottom 35. The body 38 of the U-shaped member 32 can also slide in the bottom 35, parallel to the latter and the opening 34. The sliding occurs only if the U-shaped member is engaged in the guide. This is the first phase of the assembly operation, which is described below.

More specifically, although non-limiting, according to the first embodiment the opening 34 of the groove 33 is demarcated by two walls 41, 42 parallel to one another, and the bottom 35 of the groove 33 has a circular cross section. The walls 41, 42 are effective in guiding the legs of the U-shaped member in translation, and the bottom 35 is effective in guiding the body 38, first in translation, and then in rotation, as will be further explained below. In this regard, each leg 36, 37 of the U-shaped member 32 has a portion 43, 44, respectively, the cross section of which allows sliding in the opening 34 of the groove 33, and the body 38 of the U-shaped member 32 has a cross section that enables it to slide in the bottom 35 of the groove 33, on the one hand, and prevents its movement in a direction perpendicular to the groove, on the other hand.

The U-shaped member 32 is comprised, for example, of a wire having a circular cross section and bent to form the body 38 and legs 36, 37. This wire has a circular cross section, with a diameter between 2.0 mm and 10 mm or, in a more specific embodiment, a diameter ranging from 3.0 mm to 6.0 mm. The portions 43, 44 of the legs 36, 37, for sliding in the opening 34, are made by material removal. Therefore, these portions are thinner than the body 38. To cooperate with the U-shaped member 32, the bottom 35 of the groove 33 is provided to have a diameter between 100% and 120% of the diameter of the body 38 or, in a more specific embodiment, a diameter of 105% to 110% of the diameter of the body 38. The opening 34 has a width between 50% and 90% of the diameter of the body 38 or, in a more specific embodiment, a width of 60% to 85% of the diameter of the body 38.

Still according to the first embodiment, the first element 31 includes a lip 45 which partially demarcates the guide 31, the lip having a length equal to or less than the distance separating the legs 36, 37 of the slider 32. More specifically, the lip 45 partially demarcates the groove 33, namely one of the walls 41, 42 of the opening 34, and a subdivision of the bottom 35. As further described below, when the first element 31 pivots relative to the second element 32, the lip 45 takes position between the legs 36, 37 to prevent any translational movement of the first element in relation to the second element. The lip 45 of the first element therefore constitutes a removable stop, implemented by relative rotation of the elements. This implementation occurs at a location of the translational travel that is designated as the transition point, as further described below.

Arbitrarily, for the assembly 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention, the guide 31 is arranged on the boot and the slider 32 is arranged on the crampon. For example, the guide 31 is embedded in the sole assembly 4, and the slider 32 is positioned so as to project from the receiving surface 21. This arrangement is easy to implement, although a reverse arrangement may be provided.

The guide 31 and slider 32 are oriented transversely in relation to the boot and the crampon, respectively. The guide 31 is parallel to the sole assembly 4 and the slider 32 is parallel to the body 15 of the crampon. This makes it possible to carry out the second phase of the assembly by lowering the foot, as described below.

Also, the guide 31 and the slider 32 are arranged at the front of the boot and at the front of the crampon, respectively, which enables them to fit in one another more easily.

It is now very easy to explain the assembly of the boot and crampon with one another, particularly with reference to FIGS. 3-7.

First, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the boot 2 is positioned transversely slightly away from the crampon so that the sole assembly 4 is oriented perpendicular to the body 15 of the crampon. Then, the slider 32 is aligned with the guide 31 by hand. When the slider 32 comes into contact with the guide 31, the first phase of the assembly begins, and the point of contact between the slider and the guide defines the initial point mentioned above.

The first assembly phase continues, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6: the U-shaped member 32 moves translationally, from the initial point, until the lip 45 comes between the legs 36, 37. This position defines the transition point. Indeed, at this point, it is possible to pivot the boot in relation to the crampon so that the sole assembly is positioned flat on the body 3. This rotational movement constitutes the second phase of the assembly. During this phase, the lip 45 takes position between the legs, and thereby opposes any translational movement of the slider in the guide. Thus, the assembly is carried out in two successive phases, one phase in translation and the other phase in rotation. These phases are mutually exclusive, in the sense that they cannot be simultaneous. When the assembly is completed, the boot is retained in relation to the crampon along three translational degrees and two rotational degrees. This retention relieves the user.

It only remains to finalize the boot retention on the crampon, as shown in FIG. 2. To do this, the assembly 1 includes a device 50 for immobilizing the boot in relation to the crampon. In the illustrated embodiment, this device is comprised of a strap, by way of non-limiting example. The strap 50 is affixed to the rear of the crampon. The strap 50 can selectively be open or closed, and its length can be adjusted. Ultimately, the binding of the assembly 1 includes the assembly device 30 and the immobilizing device 50. The immobilizing device opposes rotation of the boot in relation to the crampon at the end of the second phase of assembly. In other words, the immobilizing device 50 is used to control the rotation of the second element 32 in relation to the first element 31 during the second phase of the assembly.

The second embodiment of the invention is illustrated with reference to FIG. 8. For reasons of convenience, the elements shared with the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. More specifically, all of the reference numerals used here are shared with the first embodiment.

Therefore, the second embodiment features an assembly 1 with a boot 2 and a crampon 3. What is specific to the second embodiment is that the guide 31 and the slider 32 are oriented longitudinally. This is an alternative construction.

In any case, the invention is made from materials and according to implementation techniques known to one with ordinary skill in the art.

The invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments described above, and includes all technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.

In particular, the first element 31 may be arranged at any location of the sole assembly 4, between the rear end 6 and the front end 7. Similarly, the second element 32 may be arranged at any location between the rear end 16 and the front end 17 of the body 15 of the crampon 3.

Also, the invention relates to the article of footwear of the assembly 1, and to the crampon of the assembly 1.

At least because the invention is disclosed herein in a manner that enables one to make and use it, by virtue of the disclosure of particular exemplary embodiments of the invention, the invention can be practiced in the absence of any additional element or additional structure that is not specifically disclosed herein. 

1. An assembly comprising: a boot comprising: a sole assembly extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a first side and a second side, and heightwise between a supporting surface and a connecting surface; a crampon comprising: a body extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a first side and a second side, and heightwise between a supporting surface and a receiving surface; a binding for retaining the crampon on the boot, the binding comprising: an assembly device comprising: a first element affixed to the boot; a second element affixed to the crampon; the first and second elements being structured and arranged for assembly with one another in two phases, a first phase in which one of the elements guides the other element along a translational movement, from an initial point up to a transition point, and a second phase in which one element of the first and second elements guides the other element along a rotational movement in the area of the transition point, the first phase and the second phase being mutually exclusive.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the first element is a guide; and the second element is a slider.
 3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the guide includes a groove having a narrow opening and a widened bottom; the slider is a member having two legs and a body extending between the two legs, the legs being structured and arranged to cooperate with the opening of the groove, the body being structured and arranged to take a position within the bottom of the groove.
 4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein: the opening of the groove is demarcated by two walls parallel to one another; the bottom of the groove has a circular cross section; each of the legs of the slider has a portion having a cross section allowing sliding in the opening of the groove; the body of the slider has a cross section allowing the body to slide in the bottom of the groove and to prevent the body to move in a direction perpendicular to the groove.
 5. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein: the first element comprises a lip, the lip partially demarcating the guide, the lip having a length equal to or less than a distance separating the legs of the slider.
 6. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the guide is arranged on the boot; the slider is arranged on the crampon.
 7. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the guide and the slider are oriented transversely in relation to the boot and the crampon.
 8. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the guide and the slider are oriented longitudinally in relation to the boot and the crampon.
 9. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the guide and the slider are arranged in an area of the front of the boot and the crampon.
 10. An assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a device for immobilizing the boot in relation to the crampon.
 11. An article of footwear structured and arranged for an assembly according to claim
 1. 12. A crampon structured and arranged for an assembly according to claim
 1. 